Ford Scholarship Fund

Ford Scholarship Fund

Funder: WATDA Foundation in partnership with Ford Dealers across Wisconsin

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin

Program Focus: The WATDA Foundation Ford Scholarship Fund is intended for Wisconsin students attending one- or two-year automotive or collision repair programs. The need for highly skilled technicians in these STEM-related career pathways is critical. Developing a diverse pool of next generation technicians is good for the industry, our communities, and Ford Dealers.

Funding

Award Amount: Up to $10,000 in funding per student

Background: The WATDA Foundation received a $1 Million donation to establish this fund.

Program Goals

Students attending technical colleges will gain critical knowledge in transportation education to help prepare them for entry-level positions, including electrified vehicle technology. Through education, successful students will be prepared to be high-performing technicians in dealerships.

Eligible Programs

• Automotive technician programs (one- or two-year)
• Collision technician programs (one- or two-year)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be attending one of the 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges
• Must be (or will be) in an automotive technician or collision technician program
• Must be currently working at a Ford Dealership or sponsored by a Wisconsin Ford Dealer
• High school graduates interested in one- or two-year programs, as well as current technical college students in the first year of a two-year program

About WATDA Foundation

Founded: 1992
Status: Non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization
Mission: Supporting educational initiatives and ensuring Wisconsin has a highly skilled transportation workforce. The Foundation is integral in supporting both high school and technical college transportation programs.
Annual Giving: Thanks to the generosity of its donors, it annually awards more than $700,000 in scholarships to people pursuing the technician profession in Wisconsin.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: Foundation of WATDA, 150 East Gilman St. Suite A100, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 251-5577
Website: watda.org